1
He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith; and he that hath fellowship with a proud man shall be like unto him.
2
Burden not thyself above thy power while thou livest; and have no fellowship with one that is mightier and richer than thyself: for how agree the kettle and the earthen pot together? for if the one be smitten against the other, it shall be broken.
3
The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he threateneth withal: the poor is wronged, and he must intreat also.
4
If thou be for his profit, he will use thee: but if thou have nothing, he will forsake thee.
5
If thou have any thing, he will live with thee: yea, he will make thee bare, and will not be sorry for it.
6
If he have need of thee, he will deceive thee, and smile upon thee, and put thee in hope; he will speak thee fair, and say, What wantest thou?
7
And he will shame thee by his meats, until he have drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at the last he will laugh thee to scorn afterward, when he seeth thee, he will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee.
8
Beware that thou be not deceived and brought down in thy jollity.
9
If thou be invited of a mighty man, withdraw thyself, and so much the more will he invite thee.
10
Press thou not upon him, lest thou be put back; stand not far off, lest thou be forgotten.
11
Affect not to be made equal unto him in talk, and believe not his many words: for with much communication will he tempt thee, and smiling upon thee will get out thy secrets: